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TN 25 (06-11)

A. Principles for issuing SSI benefits

1. When SSA issues monthly payments

We issue monthly payments on the first day of the month for which they are due, unless the first day of the month is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. In that case, payment is on the first day prior to the first of the month that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

2. Minimum SSI benefit

The minimum benefit a beneficiary can receive is $1.00. When the computation yields a total benefit (Federal SSI plus federally administered State supplementary payment) for a recipient that is more than $0 but less than $1, we pay $1.00. For additional information regarding the minimum benefit due a member of a couple, see SI 02001.005B.2. in this section.

3. Essential person (EP) increment

An EP increment is an increased payment amount given to the recipient because he or she lives with an essential person. For information on the SSI Essential Person Increment, refer to SI 02001.015.

4. State supplementation payment

We issue Federal SSI benefits and the federally administered State supplementary benefits in one payment. The other policy principles in this section apply to State supplementary benefits. For information about the eligibility criteria for State supplementary payments, refer to SI 01410.001. The State supplementary payment charts provide the history of optional State supplementary programs in SI 01415.001.

5. SSI couple's benefit

We issue separate payments to each member of an SSI eligible couple. For information on the computation of couple benefits, see SI 02005.030.

B. Policy on how to pay couple’s benefits

1. Couple's benefit

If an ineligible spouse or an EP becomes a member of an eligible couple, any amount of the couple’s benefit already paid to one member for a month of eligible couple status, we pay on behalf of the couple.

If for a past month a member received more than his or her “share” (usually one-half) of the couple's benefit, retroactive adjustment is not required as long as the total benefit paid to the couple is correct. If the total benefit paid is not correct, we recalculate the amounts paid to both members to compute an overpayment or underpayment.

2. Minimum benefit due a member of a couple

The minimum benefit a member of a couple can receive is $1.00. When the computation yields a total benefit (Federal SSI plus federally administered State supplementary payment) for a member of a couple that is more than $0 but less than $1,00, we pay $1.00.